Arrangement of sheet-pile components

ABSTRACT

An arrangement of sheet-pile wall components includes two sheet-pile wall sections. The ends of the two sheet-pile wall sections are arranged. Their locks are hooked into two lock profiles of a connecting profile which is hooked via a third lock profile into the lock of an anchorage. The respective other ends of the sheet-pile wall sections are secured such that each of the two sheet-pile wall sections partially encloses a region. At least one of the lock profiles and the lock of the sheet-pile wall component of the anchorage in engagement therewith are configured in such a way that the lock profile of the connecting profile and the lock in engagement therewith are hooked one inside the other and grip around one another. As viewed in cross section, they bear on one another and are supported against one another by at least three points in at least one installed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of InternationalApplication No. PCT/EP2006/007207 filed Jul. 21, 2006 which claimspriority to German Application Nos. 102005037564.2 filed Aug. 9, 2005and 102006000623.2 filed Jan. 2, 2006. Each of the above-identifiedapplications is expressly incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

FIELD

The invention relates to an arrangement of sheet-pile wall componentssuch as sheet piles and carrier elements.

BACKGROUND

An arrangement consisting of sheet-wall components of the type citedabove is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,964. There, several adjacentsheet-pile sections which extend in an arc are joined by means ofconnecting profiles with sheet-pile sections held in the soil whichserve as anchorages. The regions, which are called open cells, partlysurrounded by the sheet-pile sections extending in an arc are filledwith soil at least up to the level of the sheet-pile sections, whereasthe outer regions which are isolated from the surrounded regions by thesheet-wall sections are filled with soil to a lower height. In thismanner the sides of the sheet-wall sections that point in the outwarddirection partly protrude from the soil. This so-called open cellstructure is used in harbor construction, for example, where the sidesof the sheet-wall sections which face out form the harbor wall facingthe water.

In the arrangement known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,964, sheet pilesprovided with simple locks in the form of header bars with an ovalcross-section and C-shaped claw bars are used as the straight sheet-pilewall sections which extend in an arc. A star shaped profile at the endof which header bars with an oval cross-section are formed as locksserves as the connecting profile with which the sheet-pile wall sectionsare secured to the anchorage.

A disadvantage of the sheet-pile wall components used there is that theconnecting profile joining the sheet-pile wall sections to theanchorages is under extremely high tensile forces particularly due tothe soil pressure of the ground held back from the surrounding area.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to developan arrangement in which the connecting profile joining the sheet-pilewall sections and the anchorage can also withstand extremely hightensile forces without the mutually engaged locks failing.

SUMMARY

The above-object is achieved according to the present invention by anarrangement of sheet-pile wall components such as sheet piles andcarrier elements. The arrangement comprises two sheet-pile wall sectionswhich include sheet-pile wall components extending in an arc orpolygonal shape, and which are joined by means of locks. The sheet-pilewall components of the two sheet-pile wall sections provide on the endsof the two sheet-pile wall sections, which are arranged immediatelyadjacent one another, locks hooked into two lock profiles of aconnecting profile. The provided connection is hooked via a third lockprofile into the lock of an anchorage, and the sheet-pile wallcomponents are provided on the respective other ends of the sheet-pilewall sections being secured in their positions such that each of the twosheet-pile wall sections partially encloses a region which serves as anopen cell structure. The design at least one of the lock profiles of theconnecting profile along with the lock of the sheet-pile wallcomponents, or the anchoring being engaged with said profile in such away that the lock profile of the connecting profile and the lock engagedtherewith hook into one another and surround each other such that theyare adjacent and mutually abutting, at least at three points, in atleast one installation position when seen in cross-section.

According to the invention, it is disclosed that at least one of thelock profiles of the connecting profile and the lock of the sheet-pilewall components or the anchorage in engagement therewith be designed sothat, when seen in cross-section, they form at least one so-called threepoint connection. The lock profile of the connecting profile and thelock of the sheet-pile wall components or anchorage engaged therewithare designed such that they surround each other and hook into each otherin a mutual fashion in such a way that the locks adjoin and abut eachanother at least at three points when seen in cross-section. Whentensile force impinges upon the sheet-pile wall components or theanchorage in the direction of contact, the two locks support each otherat these three points in such a way that the tensile force isdistributed over all three points of impact. This way the combination ofa connecting profile and sheet-pile wall components or an anchorage inengagement therewith is able to withstand relatively high tensile forceswhich prevent the lock connections from becoming loose.

Further advantageous developments of the invention derive from thefollowing description and the drawings.

It is particularly beneficial when the three-point connection describedis formed between each lock profile of the connecting profile and thelock of the sheet-pile wall components in engagement therewith,respectively. In this manner the combination of connecting profile,sheet-pile wall components and anchorage is able to resist the influenceof extremely high tensile forces without one of the lock profiles or oneof the locks unintentionally opening.

Furthermore, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the arrangementaccording to the invention, a connecting profile is used wherein the twolock profiles at which the two sheet-pile wall components of thesheet-pile wall sections are hooked on have mirror-symmetrical contoursrelative to the superficial center of gravity of the connecting profile.This causes the tensile forces impinging upon the lock profiles of theconnecting profile, as a result of the sheet-pile wall components, tocome to bear on the connecting profile from mirror-symmetricaldirections so that normally, when at least approximately equal tensileforces impinge upon the sheet-pile wall sections, the forces cancel eachother out in part, and this prevents the connecting profile from beingwarped or twisted by forces of varying magnitude.

It is further proposed that the arrangement according to the inventionbe lengthened or expanded by hooking at least one of the two sheet-pilewall sections onto an additional connecting profile by means of the lockon the other end of the sheet-pile wall components of the section, andconnecting the additional connecting profile to an additional sheet-pilewall section and an additional anchorage. By means of this modularconstruction, it is possible to build structures with correspondinglylarge dimensions because it is possible to anchor the free ends of thesheet-pile wall sections directly to carrier elements such as double-Tcarriers, T carriers, or pipe piles, for example.

It is further disclosed that a given number of sheet-pile wall sectionsbe provided, extending in the shape of an arc or polygon, and eachconsisting of sheet-pile wall components that are each part of thesheet-pile wall sections being joined to an immediately adjacentsheet-pile wall section by means of a connecting profile, and eachconnecting profile in turn is engaged with an anchorage embedded in thesoil.

In both applications described above, the connecting profiles that areused are advantageously identically constructed. In a first instance,this makes it easier to set up the arrangement. In addition, when allthe connecting profiles have the same dimensions, the arrangement doesnot contain a weak point at the joint.

It is beneficial when the anchorage comprises a carrier element which issecured in the soil, preferably a double-T carrier, a T carrier, or apipe pile which has been driven into solid ground by ramming orvibration. The connecting profile can then be secured directly to thecarrier element which is provided with a corresponding lock bar, forinstance a weld-on profile, for this purpose. Alternatively, theconnecting profile is coupled or joined to the carrier elementindirectly. An additional sheet-pile wall section formed from sheet-pilewall components is suitable for this, which serves as a supporting wallor retaining wall. In order to further increase the anchoring effect,Z-piles or U-piles can be used as sheet-pile wall components for theother sheet-pile wall section. The Z or U shape of the sheet pilescauses the tensile forces and shearing forces impinging between theconnecting profile and the anchorage to be partly reduced by theadditional friction and retention forces impinging between the Z or Ushaped sheet piles and the ground, thereby relieving the anchorage. Thisway, the overall arrangement has a higher resistance to forces impingingfrom the outside.

When the arrangement according to the invention is constructed as a quaywall, for example, it is proposed that the area that is partlysurrounded by the sheet-pile wall sections extending in the shape of anarc or polygon be filled with soil, while the side of the sheet-pilewall sections averted from the surrounded area protrude from the soil sothat the sheet-pile wall sections hold back the soil contained in thesurrounded areas.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the connecting profile for thearrangement according to the invention, the directions of contact, withwhich the directions of main force impact on the sheet-pile wallcomponents which are joined with the connecting profiles and on theanchorage are aligned, lie at a 120 degree angle to one another. Theworking point of every lock profile, which bears the impact of theresulting tensile force with the sheet-pile wall components hooked on soas to extend in the direction of contact or with the anchorage hookedon, is the same radial distance from the superficial center of gravityof the connecting profile as the working points of the other two lockprofiles. One effect of such a configuration of the connecting profilewherein the working points are the same radial distance from theconnecting profile's superficial center of gravity is that the tensileforces impinging upon the connecting profile as a result of thesheet-pile wall sections, and the anchorage that is hooked on, areevenly distributed across the connecting profile so that they at leastpartly cancel one another out. Secondly, the installation position ofthe connecting profile is immaterial. The connecting profile can berammed into the ground with one face side as well as the other.Furthermore, it is also immaterial which lock profile of the connectingprofile the respective sheet-pile wall components or anchorage engageswith. In the past it has been demonstrated that the use of asymmetricalconnecting profiles to join three sheet-pile wall sections always causesproblems. Frequently the connecting profiles are rammed into the groundon construction sites without checking if they are in the properposition. But when asymmetrical connecting profiles are in the wrongposition, the course of the sheet-pile wall sections relative to eachother does not correspond to the optimal flow of forces, so in the worstcase there is a danger that the forces impinging upon the sheet-pilewall sections will be insufficiently diverted to the anchorage.

In order to achieve the greatest possible flexibility in theconstruction of the arrangement according to the invention, it isproposed that a connecting profile be used wherein the lock profiles aredesigned so that the lock of the sheet-pile wall components and theanchorage in which the lock profile of the connecting profile is hookedare slewable at least 15 degrees in the lock profile.

The effect of such a connecting profile construction is that thesheet-pile wall components and the anchorage move relatively freely whenin the inner lock chambers of the lock profiles of the connectingprofile, which all but completely rules out the possibility of the lockstilting in the lock profiles of the connecting profile when the pilesare driven into the ground. In addition, imprecision in the course ofthe sheet-pile wall sections and the anchorage which are joined to theconnecting profile can be compensated for.

It is particularly beneficial to use a connecting profile for thearrangement according to the invention wherein each lock profilecomprises a thumb bar with a middle ridge, at which a thumb is formedwhich extends transverse to its longitudinal direction and protrudesbeyond the middle ridge, along with a curved finger bar, the free end ofwhich points in the direction of the thumb bar, forming an inner lockchamber with an at least approximately elliptical or oval cross sectionand, together with the end of the thumb pointing in the direction of thefinger bar, defining a mouth for the lock of the sheet-pile wall sectionbeing hooked on and to the lock of the anchorage. The lock of thesheet-pile wall section is hooked on and the lock of the anchorageconsists of a curved finger bar and a thumb bar which have correspondingdimensions.

When the lock profiles of the connecting profiles and the locks of thesheet-pile wall components and the anchorage are designed in acomplementary fashion accordingly, the cross-section of the engaged lockprofiles and locks corresponds to the described three-point connection.Now the thumb of the lock of the sheet-pile wall components or theanchorage is received in the locking chamber of the lock profile of theconnecting profile, whereas the thumb of the connecting profile isreceived in the locking chamber of the lock of the sheet-pile wallcomponents or the lock of the anchorage. When tensile force impingesupon the sheet-pile wall, components or the anchorage in the directionof contact, the two thumbs brace against each other and the finger barsof the other lock, respectively, such that the two locks, when viewed incross-section, abut at three points respectively, which is to say theymutually support each other.

This three-point connection is capable of resisting extremely hightensile forces which may amount to several tens of thousands ofkilonewtons due to the fact that the interaction of the thumb bars andfinger bars of the locks engaging one another makes it all butimpossible for the finger bars to bend or the thumb bars to break offunder normal tensile forces. At the same time, the lock configurationguarantees that the engaged locks can pivot relative to one another atleast to a limited degree without becoming loose. That simplifies theconstruction of the arrangement in a first instance. It is also makes iteaser to configure the sheet-pile wall components in a circle relativeto one another in the area of the connecting profile as required inorder to construct the open cell structure.

It is further proposed in a particularly preferred embodiment of theconnecting profile described above which is used for the arrangementaccording to the invention that at least one of the lock profiles bedesigned in such a way that it extends at an angle relative to its givendirection of contact, when viewed in cross-section, such that thedirection of main force impact on the lock of the sheet-pile wallcomponents which is hooked into the lock profile pivots at least 8 to 12degrees in either direction about the given direction of contact.

It has been shown that with a lock profile formed from a thumb bar andfinger bar, if it is aligned precisely at the base relative to the givendirection of contact, the pivoting of the sheet-pile wall components outof the given direction of contact is limited in the direction of thethumb bar, while the sheet-pile wall components' pivoting motion out ofthe given direction of contact in the opposite direction is possiblemany times over. Designing the lock profile at the base so that it is atan angle to the given direction of contact gives the sheet-pile wallcomponents the ability to be pivoted in both possible directions by atleast approximately the same maximum angles relative to the givendirection of contact with their lock in the lock profile of theconnecting profile according to the invention.

It is also beneficial when the lock profile in the connecting profileused for the arrangement extends with the main axis of its inner lockchamber, which has an elliptical or oval cross-section, at an angle of 5to 10 degrees relative to its given direction of contact, with its thumbbar angled away from the given direction of contact. As long as the lockprofile extends at such an angle relative to the base, the sheet-pilewall components can pivot in other directions relative to the givendirection of contact by approximately the same angle. It is particularlybeneficial when the lock profile comprises an angle of 7 to 8 degrees.

It is further provided that, in order for all the sheet-pile wallcomponents to be able to pivot relative to the given directions ofcontact in opposite directions by at least approximately the same angle,all lock profiles should extend at an angle of 5 to 10 degrees relativeto the directions of contact, with the two lock profiles whose thumbbars are formed at the base immediately adjacent one another beingangled toward one another.

But if installation position is not a problem, it is also possible touse a connecting profile wherein the lock profiles whose thumb bars areformed at the base immediately adjacent one another are farther from thesuperficial center of gravity of the connecting profile than the otherof the three lock profiles. This allows the arrangement's sheet-pilewall components which are hooked into the lock profiles with immediatelyadjacent thumb bars to have enough room to pivot so that they do notcollide with the connecting profile's base.

In a particularly preferred development of the connecting profile, theratio between the opening width of the mouth of each lock profile andthe maximum opening width of the inner lock chamber of the respectivelock profile is between 1 to 2 and 1 to 2.5 so that the locks of thesheet-pile wall components have enough room to pivot inside theconnecting profile's lock profiles. Here, it is also beneficial when theratio of the length of the thumb bar, as viewed transverse to thelongitudinal direction of the middle ridge, and the maximum openingwidth of the inner lock chamber is between 1 to 1.2 and 1 to 1.4 inevery lock profile of the connecting profile. When the thumb isappropriately constructed, the lock of the sheet-pile wall componentsand the lock of the anchorage are guaranteed to be able to pivot in theinner locking chamber, and at the same time the lock is guaranteed tosufficiently hook into the lock profile which prevents the locks engagedwith one another from inadvertently becoming loose.

In order to improve the ability of the sheet-pile wall components topivot, in a development of the connecting profile, it is furtherprovided that the middle ridge of the thumb bar be constructed so thatthe ratio between the thickness of the middle ridge, observed transverseto its longitudinal direction, and the opening width of the mouth isbetween 1 to 1.2 and 1 to 1.4.

The three design features described above, namely the ratio between theopening width of the mouth and the opening width of the locking chamber,the ratio between the length of the thumb and the opening width of theinner lock chamber, and the ratio between the thickness of the middleridge and the opening width of the mouth, can each be realized jointly,separately, or partially in at least one of the lock profiles.

In order to ensure that the forces impinging upon the lock profiles,which are frequently on the order of several thousand kilonewtons, donot damage the lock profile, it is further proposed that in each lockprofile of the connecting profile used, the ratio between the thicknessof the middle ridge, observed transverse to the longitudinal directionthereof, and the length of the thumb, observed transverse to the middleridge's longitudinal direction, is between at least 1 to 2.3 and 1 to2.5. The length of the thumb is a particularly important determinant ofthe ability of the lock of the sheet-pile wall components to pivotbecause the lock is pivoted about the thumb of the thumb bar, and thelock is supposed to engage with the thumb of the thumb bar inparticular, partly surrounding it, thereby guaranteeing a secure hold inthe inner lock chamber. The result of this is that the thickness of themiddle ridge at which the thumb is formed is only allowed to bedimensioned such that the lock is able to be pivoted without impedimentin the inner lock chamber, on one hand, and so that, on the other hand,the thumb bar is prevented from becoming deformed or breaking off.

In order to give the connecting profile that is used sufficientstability, it is further provided that the wall thickness of the curvedfinger bar of each lock profile in the area of the maximum opening widthof the inner lock chamber be larger by a factor of 1.1 to 1.3 than thethickness of the middle ridge, observed transverse to its longitudinaldirection, in the area of the maximum opening width of the inner lockchamber.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the connecting profile, thethree directions of contact of the three lock profiles run at a 120°offset relative to one another so that sheet-pile wall sections can beconnected which approach the connecting profile at a mutual offset of120 degrees. The present invention also contemplates designing theconnecting profile in such a way that, for example, two of the lockprofiles stick out of the base in opposite directions of contact, inother words at a 180 degree offset, while the third lock profile runs ata 90 degree angle relative to the other two.

The base body of the utilized connecting profile can be designed in theshape of a cylinder from which the lock profiles stick out radially inthe different directions of contact. But in the alternative it is alsopossible to design the base in the shape of a star; i.e., with ridgessticking out in the three directions of contact in the shape of a star,at the ends of which the lock profiles are formed. A connecting profilewith this configuration is particularly well suited to bridging largedistances between individual sheet-pile wall components that have to bejoined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in detail with the aid of anexemplifying embodiment and modifications thereof, and with reference tothe accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an arrangement according to the invention withmultiple open cells whose ends are secured in the ground by pipe piles;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along the line A-A in FIG. 1 showing theconstruction of one of the open cells in a side view;

FIG. 3 is a first enlarged section of the arrangement according to FIG.1 showing three sheet-pile wall sections and two anchorages, with twosheet-pile wall sections joined to one anchorage in each case by meansof a connecting profile;

FIG. 5 is a section corresponding to the section shown in FIG. 3 butwith a modified anchorage of the open cell structure;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the face side of an exemplifying embodiment ofa connecting profile used in the arrangement according to FIG. 1 withthree lock profiles which are offset 180 degrees to one another;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the connecting profile according to FIG. 6 inwhich a total of three flat profiles are hooked in as sheet-pile wallcomponents;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the face side of a first modification of theexemplifying embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein the workingpoints of the lock profiles are the same radial distance from thesuperficial center of gravity;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a second modification of the exemplifyingembodiment represented in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein the lock profiles arenot angled relative to the directions of contact;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a third modification of the exemplifyingembodiment represented in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein the base is curved andthe two lock profiles whose thumb bars face each other are formed at theends of the curved base;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a fourth modification of the exemplifyingembodiment represented in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein a ridge bar is fashionedon the base at the ends of which one of the lock profiles is formed;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a fifth modification of the exemplifyingembodiment represented in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein the base comprises threerounded star-shaped ridge bars at the ends of which the lock profilesare formed;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a sixth modification of the exemplifyingembodiment represented in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein the base comprises threestraight star-shaped ridge bars at the ends of which the lock profilesare formed;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a seventh modification of the exemplifyingembodiment represented in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein the base comprises threereinforced star-shaped ridge bars at the ends of which the lock profilesare formed; and

FIG. 15 is a plan view of an eighth modification of the exemplifyingembodiment represented in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein the base comprises threerounded and reinforced star-shaped ridge bars at the ends of which thelock profiles are formed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a section of an arrangement 10 configuredaccording to the invention. The arrangement 10 is formed from multiplearc-shaped sheet-pile wall sections 12 which are joined by means ofconnecting profiles 16 to first anchorages 14 which are secured in theground. Each arc-shaped sheet-pile wall section 12 forms a so-calledopen cell 18 with two first anchorages 14. The end of the sheet-pilesection 12 represented in FIG. 1 is connected to a pipe pile 20 that hasbeen driven into the ground, which serves as a closing element for thearrangement 10, as will be explained further below.

FIG. 2 is a view representing a section taken along line A-A in FIG. 1.As the view shows, the open cell 18 which is partly surrounded by thearc-shaped sheet-pile wall section 12 is filled with soil, whereas thearea outside the open cell 18 (left-hand side of FIG. 2) is a shorelinearea which is secured by means of the arrangement 10 in this example.The sheet-pile wall sections 12 have only been partly driven into theground, so the water pressure of the impinging water (W) on one side andthe ground pressure inside the open cell 18 on the other support thesheet-pile wall sections 12 laterally, while in the downward directionthe sheet-pile wall section 12 is only partially driven into the ground.In order to prevent the sheet-pile wall sections 12 from coming out ofthe ground, they are secured in solid ground by the anchorage 14 and 20.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view representing a section of thearrangement 10 for purposes of laying out the construction of thearrangement 10 in greater detail. The sheet-pile wall section 12represented in FIG. 12 consists of a total of nine sheet piles 22, inthis case union flat profiles, which are driven into the ground in anarc configuration and hooked into each other. The last two sheet piles22 of the sheet-pile wall section 14, disposed at either end, are hookedinto the lock profiles of two connecting profiles 16 whose constructionwill be described in detail further below. As FIG. 1 shows, additionalarc-shaped sheet-pile wall sections 12 are hooked into the other lockprofiles of the two connecting profiles 16 accordingly.

The third lock profile of each connecting profile 16 is engaged with asupporting wall 24 which is formed from sheet piles 22, in this case aswell union flat piles. The supporting wall 24 is joined, by means of aweld-on profile 26, with a double-T carrier 28 which has been rammedinto the ground. The supporting wall 26 and the double-T carrier 28joined therewith form the first anchorage 14.

As made abundantly clear by the arrangement represented in FIG. 1,deviations in the course of sheet-pile wall sections 12 can becompensated by means of the connecting profile 16, which is especiallyimportant where multiple sheet-pile wall sections have to be joined at acommon point.

FIG. 4 represents another section of the arrangement 10 in an enlargedplan view. This section represents the securing of the end of thesheet-pile wall section 12, for instance in solid ground on theshoreline. Stabilization is facilitated by means of the second anchoring20, which in this example consists of a pipe pile 30 that has beendriven into the ground. The last sheet piles 22 of the sheet-pile wallsection 12 are stabilized by means of a weld-on profile 26 which iswelded onto the shell of the pipe pile 30.

Lastly, FIG. 5 represents one possible modification of the firstanchorage 14 represented in FIG. 3. In order to relieve the double-Tcarrier 28 of extremely high tensile and shearing forces, which could betransferred from the sheet-pile wall sections 12 to the double-T carrier28 by means of the supporting wall 24, and in order to increase theresistance of the overall anchorage 14 to any tensile forces andshearing forces that might occur, the supporting wall 24 is made of atotal of four sheet piles 22 instead of two. Furthermore, the four sheetpiles 22 have been driven into the ground at an angle of 10 degrees outof alignment in an alternating fashion, from a cross-sectionalperspective, in order to be able to counteract the tensile and shearingforces impinging in alignment upon the supporting wall 24 by means ofgreater frictional and holding forces. It would also be possible to useU shaped or Z shaped sheet piles driven into the ground for thesupporting wall 24 instead of the angled configuration of the sheetpiles 22.

FIGS. 6 and 7 represent a plan view of an exemplifying embodiment of aconnecting profile 16 which is used in the arrangement 10, which has aconstant cross-section over its entire length. The connecting profile 16serves for joining two sheet-pile wall sections 12 with the supportingwall 24. The connecting profile 16 represented in FIGS. 6 and 7 hasthree prescribed directions of contact X, Y and Z, which are at a 120degrees offset relative to one another. Direction of contact X, Y or Zin this sense means the direction in which the sheet piles 22 form aso-called three-point connection with the connecting profile 16 incross-section when the piles are hooked on.

The connecting profile 16 has a base 32 from which three lock profiles34, 36 and 38 project in directions of contact X, Y and Z. Since lockprofiles 34, 36 and 38 are identical, the construction of lock profiles34, 36 and 38 will be described below with reference to FIG. 6 with theaid of lock profile 34 as represented in FIG. 6 above.

The lock profile 34 has a thumb bar 40 which projects from the base 32and, disposed at a remove therefrom, a finger bar 42, the two of whichprotrude from base 32 together and partly surround an inner lock chamber44.

The thumb bar 40 is formed by a middle ridge 46 which emerges from thebase 32, at the free end of which a thumb 48 is formed, extendingtransverse to the longitudinal direction of the ridge, which extendsbeyond the ridge 46 in both directions.

The finger bar 42 also emerges from the base 32 and extends toward thethumb bar 40 in a curved manner. The finger bar 42 ends together withthe exterior surface of the thumb 48 in a tangential plane (notrepresented) and defines a mouth 50 together with the end of the thumb48 that points in the direction of the finger bar 42.

The transitions between the base 32 and the middle ridge 46, between themiddle ridge 42 and the thumb 48, and between the base 32 and the fingerbar 42 are rounded and their shape conforms to that of an ellipse sothat the inner lock chamber 44 has an inner cross-section that is atleast approximately elliptical.

In the connecting profile 16 the sheet piles 22 that will be hooked oncan be pivoted in a defined fashion with their locks 52 in the innerlock chambers 44 of the lock profiles 34, 36, and 38 during which time asecure hold of the lock 52 of the sheet pile 22 in the chamber 44 of theconnecting profile 16 is still guaranteed in every pivot position of thesheet pile 22.

In order to simplify pivoting, the following design features areadditionally provided for the connecting profile 16 according to theinvention. First the ratio between the opening width (a) of the mouth 50and the maximum opening width (b), of the inner lock chamber 24 isapproximately 1 to 2.1. The ratio between the thickness (c) of themiddle ridge 46, as viewed transverse to its longitudinal direction, andthe opening width (a) of the mouth 50 is 1 to 1.3 in turn. The ratiobetween the thickness (c) of the middle ridge 46, as viewed transverseto the longitudinal direction thereof, and the length (d) of the thumb48, as viewed transverse to the longitudinal direction of the middleridge 46, is 1 to 2.3. Furthermore, the ratio of the length (d) of thethumb 48, as viewed transverse to the middle ridge 46, and the maximumopening width (b) of the inner lock chamber 44 is 1 to 1.25.

This design feature guarantees that the lock 52 of the sheet pile 22retains its ability to pivot some 16 degrees without the lock 52 of thesheet pile 22 jumping out of the locking profile 34, 36 or 38 of theconnecting profile 16.

But in order to guarantee that the locking profile 34, 36 and 38 is ableto resist the arising holding forces and does not break despite thepotential ability of the sheet-pile wall components to pivot, the bars40 and 42 which form the locking profile 34, 36 and 38 are dimensionedaccordingly.

The wall thickness (e) of the curved finger bar 42 of each lockingprofile 34, 36 and 38 in the area of the maximum opening width b of theinner lock chamber 44 is larger by a factor of 1.2 than the thickness(c) of the middle ridge 46 as viewed transverse to its longitudinaldirection in the area of the maximum opening width (b) of the inner lockchamber 44. Since the tensile force portion impinging on the thumb bar40 along the longitudinal direction of the middle ridge 46 is greaterthan the transverse force portion, the middle ridge 46 of the thumb bar40 can be constructed weaker than the finger bar 42. In contrast, at thefinger bar 42 the impinging transverse force is greater, so a relativelylarge bending momentum impinges upon the finger bar, which the fingerbar must absorb.

In order to ensure that the sheet piles 22 to be hooked on can pivot atleast approximately over the same angle range relative to the directionsof contact X, Y and Z respectively, the three locking profiles 34, 36and 38 are constructed on the base 32 such that they tilt relative tothe directions of contact X, Y and Z, as explained below.

The locking profile 34 represented at the top of FIG. 6 is at an angleα, in this case a 7.5 degree angle, relative to direction of contact X,in which case the thumb bar 42 is angled away from direction of contactX.

The two other locking profiles 36 and 38 are also fashioned on the base32 at a 7.5 degree angle to directions of contact Y and Z respectively,with the thumb bars 32 being angled away from the directions of contactY and Z again here.

Since the two locking profiles 36 and 38 represented at the bottom ofFIG. 6 are disposed closer to each other by virtue of being angled, inturn the distance from the two locking profiles 36 and 38 to thesuperficial center of gravity (S) of the connecting profile 16 isgreater than the distance between the top locking profile 34 and thesame point. This ensures that the sheet piles 22 that will be hookedinto the two locking profiles 36 and 38 do not touch even when moved asclose together as possible.

FIG. 7 represents the connecting profile 16 according to the inventionwith the union flat profiles represented in FIGS. 1 to 5 as sheet piles22 hooked into locks 52 on its lock profiles 34, 36 and 38. The pivotingrange within which the sheet pile 22 can be hooked on the connectingprofile 16 is represented in FIG. 7 for the lock profile 34 representedat the top of the figure. In this example, the sheet pile 22 can behooked on the connecting profile 16 in a pivoted position, said pivotcomprising an angle of some 8.5 degrees between a first end position anda second end position, proceeding from a starting position in which thedirection of main force impact F on the sheet pile 22 is parallel to thedirection of contact X, so the pivot range is approximately 8.5 degreesas indicated by the two arrows, and the engaged locks 34 and 52 makecontact at three points from a cross-sectional perspective.

FIG. 8 shows a first modification of the connecting profile 16represented in FIGS. 6 and 7. In this modified connecting profile 16 athe lock profiles 34 a, 36 a and 38 a are also fashioned on the base 32a at a 120° offset from each other. A unique aspect of this connectingprofile 10 a is that the working point A of each lock profile 34 a, 36 aand 38 a upon which the resulting tensile force impinges if the sheetpile 22 has been hooked on so as to extend in direction of contact X, Yor Z is the same radial distance (f) from the superficial center ofgravity (S) of the connecting profile 16 a as the working points A ofthe two other lock profiles 36 a, 38 a and 34 a respectively. Thisconfiguration of the connecting profile 16 a whereby the working points(A) are the same radial distance from the superficial center of gravity(S) of the connecting profile 16 a causes the tensile forces impingingupon the connecting profile 16 a as a result of the hooked-on sheetpiles 22 to be evenly distributed across the connecting profile 16 a andto at least partly cancel each other out. Another consequence is thatthe installation position of the connecting profile 16 a is variable, soone can integrate the connecting profile 16 a in any position withouthaving to pay any attention to the course of the lock profiles 34 a, 36a and 38 a when hooking on the sheet piles 22.

FIGS. 9 to 15 represent additional modifications of the connectingprofile 16 wherein the base 32 consists of ridge bars in, for instance,a star configuration, at the free ends of which the lock profiles 34, 36and 38 are fashioned. However, it should be noted that in all themodifications shown the design features with respect to the openingwidth of the mouth 50, the opening width (b) of the inner lock chamber44, the thickness (c) of the middle ridge 46, the length (d) of thethumb 48, and the wall thickness (e) of the finger bar 42 are realizedin an analogous manner. In the modifications represented in the figure,the lock profiles 34, 36 and 38 are not at an angle to directions ofcontact X, Y and Z but configured such that the inner lock chamber 44 atits maximum opening width (b) extends approximately at a right angle tothe direction of contact X, Y and Z.

It bears noting, however, that in these modifications too it is possiblefor at least one of the lock profiles 34, 36 and 38 to extend at anangle relative to the directions of contact X, Y and Z as describedabove with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 represents a second modification 16 b of the connecting profile16 utilized for the arrangement 10 according to the invention, whereinthe lock profiles 34 b, 36 b and 38 b do not extend at an angle to thedirections of contact X, Y and Z.

In contrast, FIG. 10 represents a third modification 16 c of theconnecting profile 16 utilized for the arrangement 10 according to theinvention, wherein the base 32 c extends in a curved manner, and the twolock profiles 36 c and 38 c are fashioned at the ends of the curved base32 c. The third lock profile 34 c, on the other hand, is fashioned inthe center of the curved base 32 c.

FIG. 11 is a plan view representing a fourth modification 16 d of theconnecting profile 16 utilized for the arrangement 10 according to theinvention, wherein a ridge bar 54 d is fashioned at the base 32 d at theends of which one of the lock profiles 34 d is formed.

FIG. 12 is a plan view representing a fifth modification 16 e of theconnecting profile 16 utilized for the arrangement 10 according to theinvention, wherein the base 32 e comprises three rounded ridge bars 54 eextending in a star configuration at the ends of which the lock profiles34 e, 36 e and 38 e are fashioned. The purpose of the rounded course ofthe ridge bars 54 e is to better dissipate the stresses impinging uponthe lock profiles 34 e, 36 e and 38 e.

FIG. 13 is a plan view representing a sixth modification 16 f of theconnecting profile 16 utilized for the arrangement 10 according to theinvention, wherein the base 32 f comprises three straight ridge bars 54f extending in a star configuration at the ends of which the lockprofiles 34 f, 36 f and 38 f are fashioned.

FIG. 14 is a plan view representing a seventh modification 16 g of theconnecting profile 16 utilized for the arrangement 10 according to theinvention, wherein the base 32 g comprises three reinforced ridge bars54 g extending in a star configuration at the ends of which the lockprofiles 34 g, 36 g and 38 g are fashioned. The reinforcement of theridge bars 54 g prevents the lock profiles 34 g, 36 g and 38 g frombreaking under extreme tensile force.

Lastly, FIG. 15 is a plan view representing an eighth modification 16 hof the connecting profile 16 utilized for the arrangement 10 accordingto the invention, wherein the base 32 h comprises three rounded andreinforced ridge bars 54 h extending in a star configuration at the endsof which the lock profiles 34 h, 36 h and 38 h are fashioned. Here toothe rounded shape is meant to improve the dissipation of stress.

The represented exemplifying embodiments are only some of the possibleconfigurations. For instance, the base 32 can also be fashioned suchthat the lock profiles 34, 36 and 38 project in different directions ofcontact. That makes it possible to arrange the open cells 18 of thearrangement 10 at different angles relative to each other.

1. A connecting profile for sheet-pile wall components, such as sheet piles and carrier beam elements, said connecting profile comprising an integrally-formed solid base region with three lock profiles arranged thereon, said connecting profile with its lock profiles defining a superficial center of gravity, wherein at least one of the lock profiles of the connecting profile and a lock of a sheet-pile wall component in engagement therewith are configured so that the lock profile of the connecting profile and the lock in engagement therewith are hooked one inside the other and surround each other to make contact with one another and support one another by at least three points in an installed position, and wherein two of said three points of contact between each of said sheet-pile wall component-engaging lock profiles on the connecting profile and the first-end locks are arranged in a common circle.
 2. The connecting profile as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the three lock profiles, as viewed in the cross-section of the connecting profile, form a three-point connection with a lock that is hooked into the respective lock profile.
 3. The connecting profile as recited in claim 1, wherein two of the lock profiles, into which locks of two respective sheet-pile wall components are hooked, extend in a mirror-symmetrical fashion relative to a superficial center of gravity of the connecting profile. 4.-10. (canceled)
 11. The connecting profile as recited in claim 1, wherein each lock profile has a working point where a resulting tensile force impinges when sheet-pile wall components are hooked and extend in a direction of contact, and wherein at least one of the working points of each lock profile is the same radial distance from a superficial center of gravity of the connecting profile.
 12. The connecting profile as recited in claim 1, wherein the lock profiles are constructed such that the lock of the sheet-pile components, which will be hooked into the respective lock profile of the connecting profile, can be pivoted at least 15 degrees in the lock profile.
 13. The connecting profile as recited in claim 1, wherein the lock profile forming the three-point connection comprises a thumb bar with a middle ridge at which a thumb is formed, extending transverse to the longitudinal direction of the ridge and projecting beyond it, and also comprises a curved finger bar the free end of which points in the direction of the thumb bar, forms therewith an inner lock chamber with an at least approximately elliptical or oval in shape as viewed in cross-section, and the end of the thumb points in the direction of the finger bar defining a mouth for the locks of the hooked-on sheet-pile components.
 14. The connecting profile as recited in claim 13, wherein at least one of the lock profiles extends at an angle in a given direction of contact, as viewed in cross-section, whereby the lock of the sheet pile component that will hook into this lock profile can be pivoted about the given direction of contact in a range of at least ±8 degrees to ±12 degrees with its direction of a main force impact.
 15. The connecting profile as recited in claim 14, wherein all lock profiles extend at an angle of 5 to 10 degrees relative to a given direction of contact.
 16. The connecting profile as recited in claim 14, wherein the lock profile extends at an angle of 5 to 10 degrees relative to a given direction of contact thereof with a main axis of its cross-sectionally elliptical or oval inner lock chamber, the thumb bar being angled away from the given direction of contact.
 17. The connecting profile as recited in claim 14, wherein two lock profiles whose thumb bars are fashioned at a base immediately adjacent one another are farther from a superficial center of gravity of the connecting profile than the other of the three lock profiles.
 18. The connecting profile as recited in claim 1, wherein said base has ridge bars projecting in a star configuration in the three directions of contact, at the ends of which the lock profiles are fashioned. 